Important Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your doctor, midwife, or pharmacist before taking any medication during pregnancy. Never stop prescribed medications without medical advice.
Pregnancy Medication Safety
A resource guide to help you understand which medications are considered safe during pregnancy, which require caution, and which should be avoided.
Generally Safe Medications
| Medication | Used For | Safety Notes |
|---|---|---|
Tylenol Acetaminophen | Pain relief, fever | Preferred pain reliever during pregnancy. Use lowest effective dose. |
Gravol Dimenhydrinate | Nausea, morning sickness | Safe for morning sickness. Also available as ginger Gravol. |
Diclectin Doxylamine/Pyridoxine | Morning sickness | Only medication specifically approved for pregnancy nausea in Canada. |
Tums Calcium carbonate | Heartburn | Safe antacid. Also provides calcium. Avoid excessive use. |
Metamucil Psyllium | Constipation | Safe fiber supplement. Drink plenty of water. |
Claritin Loratadine | Allergies | Preferred antihistamine during pregnancy. |
Use with Caution
| Medication | Used For | Safety Notes |
|---|---|---|
Zofran Ondansetron | Severe nausea | Use only if other treatments fail. Discuss risks with doctor. |
Advil/Motrin Ibuprofen | Pain, inflammation | Avoid in 3rd trimester. Use only if prescribed in 1st/2nd trimester. |
Certain SSRIs Sertraline, Fluoxetine | Depression, anxiety | Benefits may outweigh risks. Do NOT stop abruptly. Discuss with doctor. |
Sudafed Pseudoephedrine | Nasal congestion | Avoid in 1st trimester. Use saline spray instead when possible. |
Avoid During Pregnancy
| Medication | Used For | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
Accutane Isotretinoin | Severe acne | Causes severe birth defects. Must be stopped months before conception. |
Aspirin (high dose) ASA (>81mg) | Pain relief | High-dose aspirin is dangerous. Low-dose (81mg) may be prescribed for pre-eclampsia prevention. |
Warfarin Coumadin | Blood thinning | Causes birth defects. Switch to heparin injections during pregnancy. |
Methotrexate Methotrexate | Autoimmune conditions | Must be stopped 3+ months before conception. Causes miscarriage and birth defects. |
Tetracycline Tetracycline, Doxycycline | Antibiotics | Affects fetal bone and tooth development. Use safe alternatives. |
Benzodiazepines Lorazepam, Diazepam | Anxiety, sleep | Risk of birth defects and neonatal withdrawal. Seek alternatives. |
Prenatal Vitamin Cost Comparison
Compare popular prenatal vitamins available at Canadian pharmacies.
| Brand | Form | Price | Per Day | DHA Included | Folic Acid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Prenatal | Tablet | $15-20 | $0.05-0.07 | No | 1 mg |
| Materna | Tablet + DHA softgel | $35-45 | $0.35-0.45 | Yes (200mg) | 1 mg |
| Centrum Prenatal + DHA | Tablet + softgel | $28-38 | $0.47-0.63 | Yes (200mg) | 0.6 mg |
| Jamieson Prenatal | Tablet | $18-25 | $0.18-0.25 | No | 1 mg |
| Nature Made Prenatal + DHA | Softgel | $25-35 | $0.28-0.39 | Yes (200mg) | 0.8 mg |
| Webber Naturals Prenatal | Tablet + DHA | $22-30 | $0.29-0.40 | Yes (200mg) | 1 mg |
Provincial Coverage for Pregnancy Medications
What each province covers for pregnancy-related prescriptions.
Ontario
Prenatal vitamins with folic acid covered under ODB for eligible women. Diclectin covered. OHIP+ covers women under 25.
Trillium Drug Program for additional support.
British Columbia
Fair PharmaCare covers eligible prenatal medications after deductible. Plan G for low-income families.
BC Healthy Kids program for children of low-income families.
Quebec
RAMQ covers most pregnancy-related medications. All residents must have drug insurance.
Comprehensive coverage under public plan.
Alberta
Some prenatal medications covered through Alberta Drug Benefit programs. Coverage varies by income.
AISH and Income Support programs provide additional coverage.
Manitoba
Pharmacare covers pregnancy medications after income-based deductible. Prenatal vitamins may not be covered.
Apply to Pharmacare for income-based drug coverage.